Nauseated Copilot Exits Damaged Aircraft Mid-Flight with Fatal Outcome | Charles Crooks Analysis

This video answers the question: Can I analyze the case of Charles Crooks?

Dr. Grande’s book Harm Reduction:

[matthewcoleman]

Many years ago, I flew charter jets with a co-pilot who was incredibly nice. Great guy, highly focused, gentlemanly, kind, all the rest. A person you would be happy to have to dinner. He just wasn't very good at flying. Not terrible, but not very good. This was exacerbated by the fact that English wasn't his first language. On several occasions we had the conversation about "well, why did that happen? What could you have done differently?" Long story short, he overcame his deficiencies and became a well-respected and highly competent captain. I wish Charles had given himself that chance. It's not over until you give up.

[HappyCat]

"Don't let the perfect get in the way of the good." Tragic. RIP Charles.

[alparkranger]

The idea that he would not have waited 20min I have issues with. Sometimes it takes time to build out the worst-case scenario in your mind. You then project a future that you can't live with.

[timhinchcliffe]

Aviation saying:
_If you walk away from a landing, it was a good landing..._
_if the plane can fly again, it was a great landing._

[rbrazz]

The pilot described it as he ran and "Superman jumped out the back of the plane". Needless to say the pilot had no doubts of intention

[mimimcgee]

I discovered Dr. Grande about 5 years ago when I was finishing my doctorate and needed help with the SPSS statistical software I was using to analyze the data for my dissertation. His videos were so clear and concise and saved me weeks of anguish. I had no idea he would be one of my fav true crime analyzers several years later. Def multi-talented!!

[arthouston]

I'm a commercially rated pilot and flight instructor. Mr. Crooks no doubt saw this as an event that would keep him from working as a pilot. It's a very small community, in terms of numbers. He probably saw this as the equivalent of an athlete having a career-ending injury. Some people can live with that idea. I'm thinking that the damage to the gear would humiliate him among his peers, and keep him from having another flying job. It is more than possible that he could not live with that outcome, literally.

[seantiz]

I think your assessment is spot on. For those people who struggle with mental health issues, your mind doesn’t typically calm down after an in event. Many actually spin up, running through all of the negative issues and possibilities. For them, it gets worse not better after a negative event.

[MrsRitchieBlackmore]

As someone who also struggles with anxiety, I think your analysis is spot on. I wouldn't be surprised if he was brought up in a home where perfection was expected of him, or else there would be harsh consequences.

[joevignoloru]

In a military aircraft like a C-130 or a C-17 you don't go anywhere near an open ramp unless you are wearing either a parachute or a safety harness. For one thing its very windy with the ramp opened and the air swirls around in the cargo compartment. If Charles had any intention of going anywhere near the open ramp either to vomit or to see the damage to the plane one would think he would not have done so without taking proper safety precautions. He probably jumped out.

[cybermandan]

No matter how much it pays or how much your employer claims you are all family... no job is worth taking your life over. It's sad he felt there was no other way out.

[uralbob]

Great program! Love Dr. Grande’s perspectives and analysis.
I have empathy for this poor pilot who must have been suffering terribly in his last few minutes.
Our hearts should also go out to the other officer on board, who probably has suffered terribly to experience this tragic occurrence.

[consortiumxf]

Respectfully, it is clear that most comments here do not understand the incredible amount of time, effort, and money it takes to become a pilot....and how one mistake can end your career and *all* of that time, effort, and money spent with nothing to show for it. Some speculate his home upbringing expected perfection of him all the time; this may indeed be true, but it is clear that people underestimate the significant investment required to become a pilot. I am not saying his (potentially intentional) actions were justified, but that it is much more complex than 'anxiety' or 'performance pressure.'

Dr. Grande, it would be great to see you do an interview/discussion with a current or retired NTSB Human Factors Specialist regarding this interesting case. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year. 💚

[Snakesnarl]

As someone with panic disorder and extremely high anxiety, I relate to this

[WinWithJen]

I believe this poor sweet man suffered from the "wait until you get home" scenario. Most every person has had their parents tell them while misbehaving that when they get home they will be punished and the car ride home as a child, sweating the punishment is usually far worse than the actual punishment.

[nadinekeating]

It's so sad that such a young man (only 23) with his entire life ahead of him, and the time he still had to go into a different career field, would end his life over this. 😢

[latinaalma]

That conclusion was the best discussion on
the flexibility of various personality characteristics and how it affects job performance I have heard...Im a retired clinical psych professor and Jordan Peterson, himself a developer of the 5 Factor Theory who worked on it, has never described it better for a general viewer. THERE IS NO IDEAL personality type they each have their strengths except when one or two factors is/are extreme...it isnt such a bad thing to be a middle of the road sort of person. People talk alot about exceptionalism. Average is disdained by many, everyone seems to want to be special. Well sometimes being special isnt a great thing.

[goldkellum]

Your analysis sounds spot on. I related to alot of things when you described him. Including the kratom. He most likely was thinking about it while he relayed to the flight tower. 20mins of thinking can lead to alot of horrible thoughts.

[xray]

If the pilot thought he jumped, I'll take his word for it. Context is everything, and he was the only one there.

[major__kong]

The FAA's position on mental health is to sweep it under the rug. Their zero tolerance policy forces pilots to hide struggles and self medicate rather than get professional help. And this makes flying less safe.